Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Hand
Clothing
Chemical Protective Clothing
Foot
Electrical
Other
Comments
* Personal Protective Equipment
all sampling environments. A thorough assessment of hazard and protection needs for
each field must be done, however.
The third consideration is the field itself and the people, animals, and plants around it.
Is there a possibility that sampling will cause any movement of contamination off the
field? This might be as solids tracked out by wheeled vehicles or as dust brought into the
air by various sampling activities.
The fourth is to make sure that contamination cannot move off the site during
nonworking hours. The field must be protected from water and wind erosion. Also, are
underground areas and water supplies safe from contamination? Will sampling activities
allow contamination to move into uncontaminated areas? The fifth is the safety of the
personnel transporting and analyzing the samples obtained. If samples are in appropriate
containers contamination of people and their surroundings during transportation should
not occur. Laboratory personnel must be apprised of the expected contaminants in the
samples, however, so that appropriate safety precautions can be taken.
4.2. SAFETY RESOURCES
Information about safety in general and in sampling situations can be found in various
locations. Often topics relating to safety in environmental work are referred to as
environmental health and safety (either as EHS or EH&S) [1]. These are key words when
investigating specific safety concerns. The National Safety Council Web site has many
publications that can be helpful in any situation [2]. OSHA is another good source of
safety information, along with information about chemical hygiene plans [3]. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) also has information about safety,
particularly in terms of environmental contamination [4]. Safety information in
relationship to the dangers of a particular chemical can be found in material safety data
sheets, better known as MSDS sheets [5]. Additional safety information, including use
and toxicity information about chemicals, can be found in the Merck Index [6].
There are consultants and consulting organizations that can help with developing safe
working conditions. In addition they can help in making sure that all government
organization safety rules are followed. This can include ten 30-hr safety courses, which
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search